I'm loosing my freakin mind on these valve keepers. I got the first head done not too much of a problem but on the second head EVERY valve keeper is seized to the valve stem. I sprayed them down with cleaner and I gently tap on the spring compressor with a rubber mallet. If I tap too hard the compressor comes flying off. I'm about to take my sawzall to these sons of b*****s

 

I had the exact same thing happen. I hit the valves lightly with a hammer before I compressed the springs, plugged the oil holes in the head, and then put a magnet on top, compressed the springs, and eventually they came off. Try twisting, too.

So far replacing my seals has been the biggest PITA on my car..

 

Beat the retainers a few times with a rubber mallet before you put the valve spring compressor on. After you've done it a few times, you'll recognize the sound when the retainer comes free, especially if you're using an air holder.

 

I already had the heads off the car. A guy from the other board told me and I did the rest of the cylinder head in the time that it took me to do one valve on the other head. The idea came from

Techinspector1 at
www.clubhotrod.com

Take two pieces of wood to lift them off the work surface and take a socket (i used 21 mm) put the open end over the keepers and I used my 5 lb hammer and stike the socket it'll compress the spring and shoot the keepers out into the socket. Wonderful idea that saved a ton of time and cut the profanity by 2/3's.

 

Wow, yeah, good idea. Next time I have to do that with the heads off...